Nectarine tree named ‘Nectagala’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectagala’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicavar. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Nectagala’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘Nectagala’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelflife without alteration both on the tree after growth completion andafter harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone flesh fruit forfresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.Contrast is made to ‘Nectaross’ and ‘Fantasia’ nectarines, standardvarieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectagala’ is a promisingcandidate for commercial success in that it has an early flowering,fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, andso a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectagala’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.The female parent was ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) yellow nectarine and the maleparent was a non-diffused variety of white nectarine tree named‘Maillarbelle’ (Blanche Neige®). ‘Maillarbelle’ (Blanche Neige®) was theresult of an open pollinated cross of the white peach tree ‘Julie’(Tendresse®) as the seed parent. The pollen parent of ‘Maillarbelle’(Blanche Neige®) is unknown. ‘Nectagala’ was provisionally designated,tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 01.07.43.01NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the AgricultureMinistry of the French Republic Dec. 17, 2003 under number 1014087. Itwas obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagatedplants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of thetree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexuallyby us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in early March atPerpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Moreparticularly, it blooms at the same time as ‘Nectaross’ variety, between6^(th) and 20^(th) of March.

The first fruit of ‘Nectagala’ ripens in August, 7 days after the firstfruit of ‘Nectaross’ variety. More particularly, it approximately ripensbetween August 6 and 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view ofthe flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the newvariety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of thefruit, the leaf and branch of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leaves;a dorsal view of a single leaf; two whole fruit sufficiently mature forharvesting and shipment; and a third fruit which has been cut in halfwith the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh,pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectagala’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-uprightaspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side awayfrom sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower isshowy with relative medium petal size. Petals are pale pink. Leaf glandsare present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is medium.The fruit flesh is yellow with a lightly red pigmentation around thestone and its skin is very thick, dark red with an orange-redbackground. The stone is medium size and the flesh is very adherent.Fruit taste semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘Nectaross’ variety, ‘Nectagala’ has the same time ofmaturity although the red coloration is higher, 90% instead of 60%, andthe taste is semi-sweet instead of being semi-acid. Shelf life of fruitis very long instead of being short.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedduring the second fruiting season under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in thePyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been madeon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree.All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. ColourChart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society ofGreat Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium large as compared to other            common commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the            first year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could            reach 80 cm. So the tree size from the second year (second            and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm with            current seasons shots length comprised.-   Spread: Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was oriented to a    central leader organisation, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters    and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from about 200    cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing season. For second    and following seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate    height of 250 cm.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3 was necessary for    the tree valorisation. Thinning may not be too important because of    the high magnifying potential of the fruit. Thinning was necessary    every year during the past 4 years.-   Form: The ‘Nectagala’ variety has naturally a semi-upright standing.-   Density: Considered medium dense and dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central    Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.    Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling requirement    comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour    of the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained    temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius. The tree was also very    resistant to frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 9.0 cm and 10.0 cm in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level,    on trees from the second growing season. The branching begins at 50    cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of    papery scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the second    growing season. The lenticels range in size from approximately 3.0    millimeters to 7.0 millimeters in width, and from 1.5 millimeters to    2.8 millimeters in height.-   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside is    considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).-   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little more    pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black    202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches are considered medium to thick for the    variety, and current season shoots are considered medium for the    variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The    current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 7.0 millimeters,    and branches of trees from the second growing season have a diameter    comprised between 27.0 and 36.0 millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally between 45 degrees and 50 degrees from    the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not    considered distinctive of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Generally 28.0 millimeters to 30.0 millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A-B) on lower part of new            shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in            brown-orange (RHS Greyed Orange 173 B-C-D).

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements have been    taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately    mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is above 4.-   Leaf length: Approximately 120.0 to 180.0 millimeters with leaf    petiole.-   Leaf width: Approximately 30.0 to 40.0 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal    axis.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form: Acuminate.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).-   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C).-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller    leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—About 6.0 to about 12.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.        -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large. Their length is about 1.5            millimeters.        -   Number.—3 glands and more: generally 2 on the petiole and 1            or 2 on the limb.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color            (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is            generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals            color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. The            buds are considered hardy under typical central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −12° C. in December or January. The    current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or    heat stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in    orchard to temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature    between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer.-   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom, observed on Feb.    25, 2002, was exceptionally early. Second, third and fourth blooms    took place respectively on Mar. 10, 2003, Mar. 6, 2004 and Mar. 5,    2005.-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the    Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full bloom is    observed on March. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic    conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was    observed on Mar. 3, 2002, second full bloom on Mar. 17, 2003, third    full bloom on Mar. 13, 2004, and fourth full bloom on Mar. 12, 2004.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 15 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.-   Flower size: Considered medium. Flower diameter at full bloom is    approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 40 to 50 flowers    per meter.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species.-   Length: Generally about 19.0 millimeters.-   Width: Generally about 18.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Round-shaped.-   Petal count: Nearly always 5.-   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Petal color: Pale Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 C) when young, darkening    with advancing senescence.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slightly rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.-   Petal margins: Generally slightly undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,            and dome-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A flat golden orange (approximately RHS Greyed Red            178 C-B).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Average.        -   Color.—A flat Red (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A).-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately comprised    between 90 and 110 stamens per flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Average in length.        -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed            Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at            maturity.-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color    (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C). The present variety is    considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 16.0            millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is            superior or equal to pistil's length.-   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C-D).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Smaller or equal to filament's length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: Aug. 6, 2003.-   Date of last picking: Aug. 16, 2003. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘Nectagala’    variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped maturity: only 2    harvests in 10 days were necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, with a            homogeneous size between them.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 80.0 millimeters.-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 75.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally between 230.0 grams and 280.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round to slightly oblate. The fruit is generally            uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.-   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to    the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the    suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit            color, a dark red (RHS Greyed Purple 185 A) on a red-orange            background (RHS Orange Red N 34 A to RHS Orange Red 34B).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small.-   Base: Shallow.-   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane. Average depth    of the stem cavity is about 1.10 cm. Average width is about 2.40 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious            to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous dark red (RHS            Greyed Purple 185 A). The red blush covers 90% to 100% of            the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the blush on the            fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon            the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color appears until 10% of the            fruit skin surface, and is considered orange-red (RHS Orange            Red N 34A to RHS Orange Red 34B).-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 12.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters.-   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, slow.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity            stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and spicy.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is elevated and            acidity is comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor            is considered spicy.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Yellow flesh (RHS Yellow 13 C to RHS Yellow 13            A), with red pigmentation around the stone (RHS Red 46 A to            46 B).

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies    significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Approximately 38.5 millimeters to 39.5 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately 27.5 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately 19.5 millimeters.-   Form: Elliptic.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip.-   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form and    dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered an    orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 C to RHS Reyed Red 178    A).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—About 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 14.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—About 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Yellow            Orange 16 D). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White            159 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of            fruit maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘Nectagala’ is considered to be a nectarine    tree of the very early season of maturity, and which produces fruits    that are considered firm, attractively colored. Fruits are excellent    for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their    flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be commercialized    as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example).    And they are also useful for both local and very long distance    shipping.-   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week    on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks    after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and    a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after    harvesting without alteration.-   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new    nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin    damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing    procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing    and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily    permit 3 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery    mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and    strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of higheating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage ofred blush.